UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour’s new winter fuel scheme will strip 600,000 disabled pensioners of payments, with critics warning its complex rules risk confusion and hardship.
As reported by The Telegraph, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s winter fuel policy will affect around 600,000 disabled pensioners.
What did the government watchdog say about the risks for pensioners?
The Government’s latest equality findings show that more than one in four pensioners set to lose access to heating support are disabled. This comes despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves insisting the reforms, which broaden eligibility, are “targeted and fair.”
The new scheme, starting this winter, will give every pensioner up to £300, but those earning more than £35,000 must repay it through tax or PAYE.
The watchdog said the rules may create uncertainty and confusion for older pensioners. Among the two million pensioners set to repay, 600,000 are living with disabilities.
Campaigners fear disabled people, burdened by £975 in extra energy costs, may be unable to stay warm without financial support.
What did Dennis Reed say about disabled pensioners’ income?
Dennis Reed, of over-60s campaign group Silver Voices, said,
“An annual income of £35,000 is not a king’s ransom under any circumstances – let alone for a disabled pensioner. This shows the crudeness of having a means-tested cut-off because it doesn’t take into account the individual circumstances.”
He added,
“There are usually extra costs involved with having a disability. You might have to heat the house more than you otherwise would, or have to charge medical equipment such as electric wheelchairs, for example.”
What did Helen Whately say about Labour’s new system?
Shadow pensions secretary Helen Whately stated,
“Under pressure, Labour lurched into a half-baked means test, causing yet more confusion and still leaving disabled pensioners in the cold.”
She added,
“The system they’ve now designed is clumsy, complicated and ill-judged.”
What did Rachael Maskell say about disabled pensioners?
Labour MP Rachael Maskell warned disabled pensioners risk hardship despite the winter fuel threshold rising to £35,000.
She stated,
“These are people who have got a significant income, but we know that disabled people have higher outgoing costs on average. We need to make sure this doesn’t disadvantage disabled people, not least as some have to keep their heating on to maintain their body temperature.”
Ms Maskell added,
“No disabled person should have their health compromised because they can’t afford their heating. I want absolute cast-iron guarantees that disabled people, particularly people with long-term chronic conditions, are not going to be compromised.”
What did the Social Security Advisory Committee say about the fairness of the repayment scheme?
The Social Security Advisory Committee warned that the Government’s recovery plan risks adding complexity and confusion for recipients.
The watchdog stated that the scheme
“falls short in terms of delivering on the Government’s objectives of fairness, administrative simplicity, and targeted support for pensioners’ fuel costs during winter.”
It said the new system has formed a
“web of processes that some elderly recipients may struggle to understand and to navigate”.
The report added,
“The policy also raises fundamental questions about whether the operational costs and burdens outweigh the intended benefits.”
What did the Department for Work and Pensions say about disability benefits?
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions stated,
“We are committed to supporting pensioners and thanks to our triple lock, millions will see their yearly State Pension rise by £1,900 this parliament.”
They added,
“Nine million pensioners will also have help with their fuel bills this coming winter. Pensioners with a physical or mental disability can also receive Attendance Allowance, worth up to over £5,600 a year, and we urge everyone eligible to apply.”
What did the equality assessment reveal about fuel payments?
Labour declined to release an equality assessment when it introduced means-testing last year.
The assessment was later published under a Freedom of Information request, revealing that 1.6 million pensioners lost benefits for earning above £11,800.
According to the equality assessment, white men aged 66–79 are the group most likely to lose the winter fuel payment. In total, 8.9 million pensioners will continue receiving the support, while the wealthiest two million will return it.
Key facts about disabled pensioners in the UK
Nearly one in five UK pensioners (17%) live in poverty, with disabled pensioners at higher risk due to extra costs and work barriers.
The state pension and benefits are their main income, yet £1.5bn of Pension Credit went unclaimed in 2023. Poverty rates vary regionally, with Yorkshire and the Humber the highest at 20%.